ii4 
Separate the caoutchouc from the watery part has been tried, but 
has not proved successful as regards the latex of the Heveap though 
good results have been stated to have been attained with the latex 
of the “castilloa.” . 
Another means of separating the caoutciiouc is to add chemical 1 
reagents which cause the latex to coagulate. Of these acetic acid 
and corrosive sublimate have been found to give the best results. 
The latter owing to its antiseptic properties would appear parti- 
cularly suitable. A solution of alum is used to a small extent in 
the State of Matto Grosso, to prepare rubber from the latex of the 
Hevea. rr ... - . 
The following analvsis of the latex ot the Hevea brasihensis is 
Caoutchouc 
Analysis. 
Per cent. 
32 
Nitrogenous matter 
- 
- 
2'3 
Salts 
- 
- 
97 
Resinous matter - 
- 
- 
- traces 
Water 
- 
- 
55 10 56 
THE TRANSPORT OP TROPICAL FRUIT. 
From time to time the possibility of exporting tropical fruit to 
temperate climates is spoken of and written about, and it is urged 
that science has not yet been called on to assist in the eonsumma,- 
tion of this desirable end. At the present moment there are two 
systems of transport suggested : — l he first and best known being 
cold storage, and the second a more vague and undefined one, but 
which may be described as the antiseptic, that is being treated in 
such away as to exclude all air from the fruit during transit. . Now 
as regards the first system we see it in operation to a certain de- 
gree on all the more important lines of ships, not only for preserv- 
ing fruit during transit in hot climates, but other comestibles as 
well, such as milk, butter, meat, etc., it may therefore be regarded 
as an already well recognized system, but wanting in some details, 
which further careful experiment alone can solve. 
Turning for a moment to the alternitive system, I may here 
record an experiment 1 made when in Penang some three years 
ago. It had often occurred to me to try and send home ripe iruits 
of t lie mangosteen, by coating the fruits with a substance which 
would exclude air, for this purpose 1 gathered very carefully four 
dozen fruits, and had a light shallow box made with 4 dozen com- 
partments similar to a box for the transport of eggs. The first 
dozen fruits were quite ripe, and to exclude air I dipped them in 
melted bees wax which instantly coated them with a glistening 
layer of wax, they were then carefully wrapped in tissue paper and 
put in the box. The second dozen fruits were selected, were not 
